An estimated 1,000 underinsured or uninsured Hays County area residents received treatment Saturday as part of Ascension Seton’s efforts to provide healthcare in one of the fastest growing regions in Texas.
The Medical Mission at Home (MMAH) program, held at Seton Medical Center Hays in Kyle, first came to Hays County in 2017 and served 997 community members. This time around, the doctors, specialists, nurses and Seton staff worked to provide crucial dental, vision, wound, cardiovascular ...
An estimated 1,000 underinsured or uninsured Hays County area residents received treatment Saturday as part of Ascension Seton’s efforts to provide healthcare in one of the fastest growing regions in Texas.
The Medical Mission at Home (MMAH) program, held at Seton Medical Center Hays in Kyle, first came to Hays County in 2017 and served 997 community members. This time around, the doctors, specialists, nurses and Seton staff worked to provide crucial dental, vision, wound, cardiovascular and other services for the patients.
chief medical officer at Seton Hays, said the Medical Mission at Home has become embedded in the culture of Seton and is part of the company’s initiative to give back to the community.
Meza said Hays County’s exponential growth also has led to an increase in the number of people who are underinsured or uninsured. Providing free healthcare through the program could alter someone’s life for the better, Meza said.
Meza pointed to Seton’s vision services, which provided glasses to Hays County children who may have never had the opportunity to receive a proper diagnosis.
“In one day, we’re able to provide a child with glasses that will help in their academic career,” Meza said. “This is very important. Again, it’s one day, however, we’re trying to connect our patients to services, so it goes beyond what we are doing here.”
Meza said the success of the MMAH program has allowed Seton to continuously provide the service. Meza anticipated the program will continue in Hays County for years to come.
According to a 2018 WalletHub study, Texas ranks 49th in the country for children with access to health insurance, one of the worst percentages in the nation.
Additionally, Texas has around 5 million uninsured people under the age of 65, the most of any state in the U.S.
Seton’s 2016 community health needs report estimates around 20 percent of Hays County residents are uninsured, which was below the state average of 24.3 percent.
“Many individuals in Central Texas who are uninsured or underinsured struggle to find access to affordable healthcare, and Ascension Seton is honored to provide free health services as a direct response to this community need,” said Dr. Samson Jesudass, Chief Clinical Officer at Ascension Texas.
